Sealing means



March 4, 19-41.

W. GlLBERT, SR

SEALING MEANS Filed June 11, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 4, 1941. w GlLBERT, 5 2,233,599

SEALING MEANS Filed June 11, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 93; fig? 1N VENTOR.

BY gem &%My w ATTORNEY.

March 4, 1941. w (3|LBERT, 5 2,233,599

SEALING MEANS Filed June 11, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY fw w March 4, w GILBERT, 5 2,233,599

SEALING MEANS Filed June 11, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m J62 J58 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE,

SEALING MEANS Walter Gilbert, Sn, Johnstown, Pa., assignor to Syntron Company, Homer City, Pa., a corporavtion of Pennsylvania Application June 11, 1933, Serial No. 213,199

1 Claim.

This invention relates to sealing means for sealing members rotating or oscillating with respect to each other, such as the shafts and casings and the like in pumps, refrigeration com- 5 pressors, turbines, engines, drilling machines, ship propulsion, pneumatic tired vehicle wheels and like apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shaft sealing mechanism adapted to operate efii- 1 ciently without adjustment for long periods of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing mechanism in which the sealing pressure is not substantially affected by changes in pressure of the confined fluid; in which scoring of the surfaces at the seal is obviated, and which may, if desired, be operated without external lubrication. Another object is to provide a self-lubricating sealing device that is rapidly broken in" into sealing relationship, and in which the sealing member is not liable to be cracked or chipped out in service. A further object of the invention is to provide a simple sealing assembly that may be used to replace packings heretofore in use, for example, in refrigerant compressors, without modification or alteration of the parts of the compressor. Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing mechanism for a vehicle wheel through which the pressure condition of the tire may be transmitted to a stationary indicator in the vehicle. In accordance with the invention, a sealing ring composed of an unctuous solid, such as graphite or graphitic material, engages an abutment, the sealing ring and abutment being rotatable relative to each other. Preferably, the abutment is on the rotating part and the sealing 40; ring is relatively fixed. The abutment engaging surface of the sealing ring preferably is raised above the holder, and slightly rounded, and as the raised portion wears very rapidly filling in any pits or score marks in the abutment the I sealing ring rapidly "breaks in" into sealing relationship with the abutment, and as the sealing ring wears the area of contact gradually changes. However, the abutment engaging surface of the ring may be flat or concave, if desired. The 50 sealing ring preferably is contained in a recess in a holder having very thin walls, or the walls of the recess may be tapered to relatively sharp edges so as to obviate scoring of the abutment when the sealing ring wears down to the edges ll of the holder. The unctuous or graphitic sealing material used may be a premoulded ring set in the groove in the holder and cemented therein by any suitable binder which is fixed by drying or baking. After assembly the seal preferably is placed in heated oil or melted wax or the 5 like so that a certain amount is absorbed by the porous structure of the sealing ring. The absorbed oil or wax serves to close the pores of the sealing ring, thus making it pressure tight, and serves also as a lubricant for the surface against 10 which the sealing ring abuts.

The holder maybe sealed with respect to its housing in any suitable manner. In a preferred embodiment the rear face of the holder is tapered toward the center and has a rearwardly extending sleeve which receives a plurality of packing rings between the sleeve and casing to hold the ring against turning and prevent leakage between the sleeve and the casing of the compressor or the like, the sealing ring being held in sealing relation to the abutment by the same spring which compresses the packing rings. The packing has a tendency to ride on the inclined rear face of the holder and resists strongly any tendency of the holder to move away from the abutment, while at the same time the packing allows relatively easy movement of the holder toward the abutment under the compressive force of the spring. An equalization chamber is formed between the rear face and packing rings and as the fluid can enter the equalization chamber and counterbalance the pressure on the exposed face of the holder, the force holding the sealing ring against the abutment is nearly entirely independent of variations in the pressure of the confined fluid. In place of packing a metal bellows or other type of diaphragm may provide a seal between the sealing ring holder and casing.

The invention will be described in greater de-- tail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown preferred modifications of my invention, and wherein:

Figure l is a sectional view of a preferred em- 'bodiment of my invention taken on line I-I of Figure 2,

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a modified sealing ring and holder,

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a further modification,

Figure 5 is a sectional viewv of still another modification, a

Figure 6 shows my invention applied to the tired wheel of a vehicle,

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a further modification,

Figure 8 shows a modification showing a metallic bellows for sealing the holder relative to the casing,

Figure 9 shows a modification employing packing rings and a metallic bellows,

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show modifications employing diaphragms for sealing the holder relative to the casing,

Figure 13 is a modification showing a double seal,

Figure 14 shows a further modification of a sealing ring holder and packing assembly, and

Figure 15 shows a further modification adapted to be self-lubricating.

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 the drive shaft I extends through a bearing 2 in the stationary compressor casing 3 and a reduced portion 4 of the shaft forms a shoulder 5. A recess 6 surrounds the shaft I and receives an adapter plate I secured to the casing by cap screws 8 extending through a flange on the adapter. The face of shoulder 5 provides an abutment which preferably is polished smooth to provide a sealing surface, and a sealing ring 9 of graphite or other unctuous solid material is located in abutting relation to the sealing surface of the shoulder 5.

The sealing ring 9 is contained in a recess III in the holder I I, the walls of the recess preferably being thin and being tapered at their ends to relatively sharp edges as indicated at I2 and I3 to obviate scoring of the abutment surface when the sealing ring becomes worn level with the holder. The abutment engaging face of the lubricant ring 9 preferably is rounded so as to extend approximately one sixty-fourth of an inch (more or less) beyond the edges I2 and I3 at its center. The rounded face has the advantage that it initially presents only a thin annulus to the shaft shoulder which wears down relativelyrapidly filling any pits or score marks on the shoulder which otherwise would allow leakage between the sealing ring and shoulder.

The seal thus is rapidly broken into sealing relationship, this feature being especially important where the shoulder is not sufllciently pol ished. Also, by having the abutment engaging face rounded there is no tendency for the graphite of the sealing ring to chip out, such as would occur if the edges of the ring were formed with sharp corners. For example, in some installations it was found that a graphite ring with a flat seating surface and sharp edges required operation of the shaft for about forty-five minutes before sealing was effected, whereas in the case of a rounded graphite ring, sealing was accomplished in from ten to five minutes under comparable conditions. This is an important advantage where corrosive fluids or noxious gases are handled.

The rear face I4 of the holder is tapered rearwardly, and terminates in a sleeve I5 extending along the shaft in a bore I6 in the adapter I. A slight clearance as indicated at I! is provided between the sleeve I5 and the shaft 4 to allow for eccentricity or misalignment, and an annular projection I8 provides a bearing for centering the holder with relation to the shaft. A packing I9 is interposed between the sleeve I5 and the wall of recess I6 and is placed under compression by a spring abutting against a closure plate 2I held on adapter I by cap screws 22. The packing preferably comprises a plurality of separate preformed rings which may be whole or tendency of the holder to move away from the abutment. while at the same time they allow relatively easy movement of the holder toward the abutment, under the compressive force of the spring.- As a result the holder may move toward the abutment to take up wear on the sealing ring,'and resists pressure tending to separate the sealing ring and abutment.

A slight clearance indicated at 23 is provided between the outer periphery of the holder II and the inner surface of the recess I6, so that line fluid has access to balancing chamber 24 formed between surface I4 and the packing rings.

' The pressure holding the sealing ring and abutment together therefore depends on the relation of the exposed areas on opposite sides-of the holder, and if the exposed areas are equal, is substantially independent of variations in the pressure of the confined fiuid in the casing of the compressor whether such pressures be above or below atmospheric pressure. Preferably the exposed areas of holder I I are made as nearly equal as possible so that substantially the only force exerted against ring 9 is that of spring 20 and the spring need only be strong enough to hold the sealing ring 9 seated against the differential pressure on the two sides of the sealing ring. Rapid wear and heat resulting from excessive sealing pressures thus are avoided.

In the modification shown in Figure 3, the sealing ring 23 has a concave face 24 adapted to abut the shoulder 5, and which may be flush with the edges I2 and I3 or extend slightly beyond the edges.

In the modification shown in Figure 4. a sealin ring 25 is embedded in a stationary sleeve 23 suitably held in sealing relation in the casing 21 surrounding the rotating shaft 28 which has a rotor 29 secured thereon within the casing. Collar 30 presents an abutment surface 3| to the sealing ring 25 and has a packing recess 32. containing packing therein which is compressed by a follower ring 33 held against the packing by a spring 34 which abuts the rotating impeller 29 on the shaft. Leakage between the collar 30 and shaft 28 thus is prevented. The sealing ring 25 preferably extends slightly beyond the face of holder 26 and has a fiat face, and the walls of the recess 43 are relatively thin and tapered at their ends. If desired the abutment engaging face may be concave or convex. In this modification the pressure inside the casing assists the spring in holding the collar 30 and sealing ring 25 in abutting relation.

In the modification shown in Figure 5 the stationary compressor casing 35 has an integral extension surrounding the rotating shaft 4 which provides a recess 36 adapted to house the sealing mechanism. An adapter sleeve 31 has a flange 38 whereby it is secured in place between the extension of the casing and a cover plate 39 bolted to the extension. A gasket 49 is interposed between the flange 38 and the end of the casing extension to seal the casing of the compressor at this point. The packing rings I9 interposed between the sleeve I5 and the adapter sleeve 31 are placed under compression by the spring 28 abutting against the retainer plate 39 and the packing.

In the modification shown in Figure '7, the shaft 4I has a reduced portion 42 providing a shoulder 43 in which is embedded a sealing ring 25 in a recess 45. Preferably the sealing ring 25 has a flat face and extends slightly beyond the shoulder 43. An abutment member 46 surrounds the reduced portion 42 of the shaft and has an abutment face 41 engaging the sealing ring 44, and a sleeve 48 extends rearwardly therefrom. The packing rings I9 between the sleeve 48 and adapter 31 prevent escape of fluid beyond balancing chamber 24, and the spring 28 urges the packing against shoulder I4 and urges abutment member 46 into sealing engagement with sealing ring 25. A kerf 49 relieves the unction of shoulder 43 and shaft 42, so that as the shoulder wears there will be no interference with the abutment member.

In Figure 6 I have shown a further modification of the invention in which the abutment of the shaft is stationary and the sealing ring is rotatable. This modification is of particular application to vehicle wheels having pneumatic tires mounted thereon so that the state of air pressure in the tire may be observed while the wheel is rotating. The axle 65 has an abutment surface 66 which is machined smooth and is polished. The wheel 61 is rotatably mounted on the axle in any suitable manner and has an enlarged hub 68 to which is secured a closure plate 69 by screws II or other suitable means, this plate having a bore I2 at its center surrounded by a shoulder I3. A sealing ring 9 is mounted in a holder I similar to holder 26 shown in Figure 1, located in the bore I2, and a surrounding flanged sleeve I6 encloses the sleeve of holder I5 and is clamped to the plate 69 by a clamping plate II which completely closes the end, gasket I8 being interposed between the sleeve and the shoulder to provide a fluid tight seal. The plate 11 has a radial passage I9 therethrough terminating in a central passage 8| and communicating with the chamber 82 in the holder I5. A tube 83 secured to the radial passage I9 at one end in any suitable manner communicates at its other end with the ordinary valve stem 84 of the vehicle tire 85, the valve mechanism in the stem being removed or an extra stem being provided. A bore 86 through the axle 65 connects with chamber 82 at one end and at its inner end is connected in any suitable manner to a pressure gauge or a pressure tank or pump (not shown).

From the foregoing It will be seen that air pressure is conducted throughtube 83 and bore 86 from the tire to the gauge whereby the operator of the vehicle-can visually determine the pressure in the tires at all times. The sealing ring 9 abutting face 66 prevents leakage of air from the system, and because of the slight wear of the sealing ring, will be effective over a long period of time. The tire may also be inflated through the passage 86, seal, passage I9 and tube 63.

In the modification shown in Figure 8 the shaft 88 having a rotor 89 thereon has an enlarged threaded portion 98 which forms a shoulder 9| therewith. An abutment sleeve 92 is threaded onto shaft 98 and has a shoulder 93 which engages shoulder 9I on the shaft in sealing engagement. The housing 94 has a threaded opening 95 and a stufiing box sleeve 96 is threaded into the opening 95 from the interior and sealed with relation thereto by a flange 91 and gasket 98. The sleeve 96 contains a sealing assembly comprising a sealing ring 25 in a recess I88 in the holder IM. A metallic bellows I82 has one end secured to a central thickened portion of holder I8 I, the other end being secured to a flange I83. Sleeve 96 has an internally threaded recess I84 terminating in I a shoulder I85, and flange I83 is held against a gasket I86 on said shoulder by a gland- I88 threaded into recess I84. Holes I89 are provided in gland I88 to receive a spanner wrench. The flange I83, thus is held in fluid tight relation and bellows I 82 is soldered or otherwise secured in fluid tight relation to flange I83 and holder I8I. This construction has the advantage that chattering and crystallization of the metal bellows is prevented.

Preferably holder I8I has a sleeve I I8 extending along the shaft to prevent contact between the shaft and bellows. Ordinarily, the bellows and the pressure of fluid in chamber II I are sufficient to hold the ring 99 and holder in sealing relation to the abutment 92. However, if desired, a spring 28 may be provided abutting against a flange I I3 on the holder and the flange I83 secured to the bellows.

In the modification shown in Figure 9, the holder II is surrounded by a follower 5 having a packing recess II6 therein to receive the packing I9. A metallic bellows III is secured to the follower H6 at one end and at its other end is secured to the flange II8 which is clamped by cover II9 against gasket I28 on the faces of casing I2I. A flange I22 surrounds follower I I6, and if desired, a spring 28 may be interposed between flange I22 and flange II8.

- In Figure I have shown a modified holder comprising a spring plate or diaphragm I23 having an integral annular flange I24 surrounding the central hole I25. A sealing ring 9 is located in the annular recess I26 in the flange I24, and if desired the walls of the recess need not be tapered. The plate I23 may be bolted directly to the casing by bolts passing through the bolt holes I28 with a suitable gasket interposed to prevent leakage, the resiliency of the diaphragm,

supplemented, if desired, by a spring, being relied on to hold the sealing ring I28 in engagement with the abutment surface.

In the modification shown in Figure 11, the resilient plate is made up of two plates I38 and NH, soldered or otherwise secured together and having flanges I32 and I33 at the center which have a recess I34 therebetween to receive the sealing ring 9.

In the modification shown in Figure 12, the resilient plate I36 is secured to a central hub I31 having a recess I38 therein to receive the sealing ring 25. The opposite side of hub I3I is grooved at I39 to receive a spring for urging the sealing ring against the abutment.

In the modification shown in Figure 13 a double vapor proof seal is provided to seal the electric motor I45 in the motor case I46. The case has double walls I" and I48 with apertures I49 and I58 therein, and a sleeve I5I passes through the apertures. The sleeve I5I has a flange I 52 intermediate its ends and is threaded adjacent thereto, at I53, whereby the sleeve is held in the motor case. Flanges I52 and I54 form sealing engagement by means of-gaskets I56 and I5I with the case. The shaft I58 of the motor extends through sleeve I5I and a sleeve I59 surrounds the shaft and is secured thereto by a pin I68 passing through slots IBI in the end to rotate therewith. A gasket I62 between the sleeve and impeller I63 prevents the leakage of fluid from the pump between the sleeve I60 and shaft I 59 into the motor case.

A central abutment I64 on sleeve I50 has two polished faces I65 and I66, and two holders I61 and I68 like holder II on opposite sides thereof in sleeve II. The sealing rings 9 therein engage the abutment faces I65 and I66 in sealing relation. Packing rings I68 between the holder I61 and sleeve I5I are urged against the holder by a spring I abutting the washer "I, the inner end of sleeve I5I being closed by threaded nut I12. Packing rings I13 between the holder I68 and sleeve I5I are urged against the holder by spring I14 abutting washer I15, and the outer end of the sleeve is closed by nut I16. Any leakage from the exterior that may pass by the packing rings I13 will be unable to pass rings I69 because of the manner in which they are expanded outwardly into sealing engagement with the sleeve I5I and holder I61.

In the modification shown in Figure 14 a conical packing ring I40 rests on the inclined shoulder I 4 of the holder I I, and a resilient diaphragm I4I has a conical portion I42 abutting the packing ring. The edge of the diaphragm is clamped by a cover I43 in sealing relation against the casing to prevent leakage. This construction is of particular value in maintaining a vacuum within the casing because atmospheric pressure against diaphragm I4I holds the packing in sealing relation and holds the sealing ring 9 against the abutment.

In the modification shown in Figure 15, the holder I I containing sealing ring 25 is of such size that the outer periphery of the sealing ring extends beyond shoulder 6 of shaft I. This construction may be used where lubricant is introduced into chamber I80 and it enables lubricant to penetrate through the more or less porous structure of the sealing ring by capillary action, the penetrating action being assisted by the pressure in chamber I80. If desired, this modification may have holes I8I bored radially through the wall of the recess I82 arranged around the periphery of the holder to allow oil to contact sealing ring 25 and be absorbed thereby.

I claim:

In combination with an apertured housing, a rotatable shaft extending into said housing, a shoulder on said shaft having a radial abutment face exposed to the interior of said housing, a sleeve surrounding said shaft within said housing, said sleeve having a radial abutment face adjacent said shoulder and; an inclined wall spaced therefrom, a ring of unctuous solid material seated in one of said faces and adapted to engage the other face, a plurality of separate preformed rings of packing material surrounding said sleeve, a spring urging said packing rings toward said wall so that they are axially deformed to a condition for resisting movement of said sleeve away from said shoulder, said spring also maintaining said ring of unctuous solid material engaged with said shoulder face, and a fluid pressure chamber between said inclined wall and the adjacent packing ring, the pressure in said chamber reacting against said sleeve to further oppose relative separation of said sleeve and shoulder.

WALTER GILBERT, SR. 

